|V I l^^rr United States Department of Commerce

I ^1 1 National Institute of Standards and Technology

A111D3 73SS73 PUBLICATIONS

NIST Special Publication 814

Interpretation of the SIfor

the United States and Metric

Conversion Policy for

Federal Agencies

Barry N. Taylor, Editor

ACTRIC

g MEASURES UP

U& DEnVRTMENT OF CXMMERCE

-QC—

100

.U57

1991

C.2

NIST Special Publication 814 QCIGC

:u^^

Interpretation of the SIfor ^JV

the United States and Metric

Conversion Policy for

Federal Agencies

Barry N. Taylor, Editor

Physics Laboratory

National Institute of Standards

and Technology

Gaithersburg, MD 20899

October 1991

U.S. Department of Commerce

Robert A. Mosbacher, Secretary

National Institute of Standards and Technology

John W. Lyons, Director
National Institute of Standards U.S. Government Printing Office

and Technology Washington: 1991

Special Publication 814

Natl. Inst. Stand. Technol.

Spec. Publ. 814

17 pages (Oct. 1991)

CODEN: NSPUE2

For saie by the Superintendent

of Documents

U.S. Government Printing Office

Washington, DC 20402
Introduction

This National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication replaces National Bureau

of Standards (NBS) Letter Circular LCI 132 published April 19, 1982. It reprints the Department of Commerce, NIST, Federal Register notice of December 20, 1990 titled "Metric System of Measurement; Interpretation of the International System of Units for the United States" (the International System of Units,

abbreviated SI, is the modernized metric system); the Department of Commerce, Office of the Secretary,

Federal Register notice of January 2, 1991 titled "Metric Conversion Policy for Federal Agencies"; and Executive Order 12770 issued by the President of the United States on July 25, 1991 titled "Metric Usage in

Federal Government Programs."

The first Federal Register notice restates the Department of Commerce's interpretation of the International System of Units for the United States that was last published by the Department in 1982; the second

revises the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to remove the voluntary aspect of the conversion to the metric

system of measurement for Federal agencies; and the Executive Order provides Presidential authority and

direction for the use of the metric system of measurement by Federal departments and agencies in their

programs.

A more detailed description of the International System of Units or SI, the modernized metric system, than

is presented in the first Federal Register notice is given in National Institute of Standards and Technology

Special Publication (SP) 330 titled The International System of Units (SI) , 1991 Edition, Barry N. Taylor, USA

Editor. This publication may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The 1991 edition of SP 330 is the USA edition of the English language

translation of the sixth edition of Le Systeme International d'Unites (SI) , the definitive reference on the foundation and fundamental principles of the SI published in 1991 by the International Bureau of Weights and

Measures in the French language.

1
RELATIONSHIPS OF SI UNITS

2
The diagram at the left shows graphically how the 19 SI derived units with special names listed in Table

3 of the following Federal Register Notice are derived in a coherent manner from the base and supplementary units. In the first column the symbols of the base and supplementary units are shown in rectangles, with

the name of the unit shown toward the upper left of the rectangle in italic type and the name of the quantity

(measurable attribute) shown below the rectangle. In the third column the symbols of the derived units with

special names are shown in solid circles, with the name of the unit shown toward the upper left of the circle

in italic type, the name of the quantity shown below the circle, and an expression of the derived unit in terms

of other units shown toward the upper right in parenthesis. In the second column are shown those derived

units without special names that are used in the derivation of the derived units with special names [the cubic

meter (m^) excepted]. In the diagram the derivation of each unit is indicated by arrows bringing in numerator

factors (solid lines) and denominator factors (broken lines).

The unit "degree Celsius," which is equal to the unit "kelvin" and is shown in the diagram in a broken-line

rectangle, is used to express Celsius temperature. In this case, "degree Celsius" is a special name used in

place of "kelvin." This equality is indicated in the diagram by the symbol K in parenthesis toward the upper

right of the °C circle. The equation below "CELSIUS TEMPERATURE" relates Celsius temperature (t-c)

to thermodynamic temperature (Tm). An interval or difference of Celsius temperature can, however, be expressed in kelvins as well as in degrees Celsius.

3

Thursday

December 20, 1990

Part II

Department of

Commerce

National Institute of Standards and

Technology

Metric System of Measurement;

Interpretation of the International System

of Units for the United States; Notice
52242 Federal Register / Vol. 55, No. 245 / Thursday, December 20, 1990 / Notices

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and

Technology

[Docket No. 900663-0163]

Metric System of Measurement;

Interpretation of the International

System of Units for the United States

agency: National Institute of Standards

and Technology, Commerce.

action: Notice.

summary: This notice restates the

interpretation of the Department of

Commerce as to the International

System of Units ("SI") for the United

States. This interpretation was last published by the Department of

Commerce in the Federal Register on

February 26, 1982 (47 FR 8399-8400).

Although the contents of the tables have

not been changed in any significant way

since 1982, in view of the amendment of

the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 by

the Omnibus Trade and

Competitiveness Act of 1988, and

because over eight years have elapsed

since the above Federal Register notice

was published, it is deemed appropriateto once again issue tables and

associated text setting forth the

interpretation of the SI for the United

States. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For information regarding the

International System of Units, Dr. Barry

N. Taylor, Building 221, Room B160,

National Institute of Standards and

Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland

20899, telephone number (301) 975^220.

For more* information regarding the

Federal Government's program for use

of the International System of Units, Mr.

James B. McCracken, Metric Program

Office, U.S. Department of Commerce,

Washington, DC 20230, telephone (202)

377-0944.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section

5164 of Public Law 100-^18, the

Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness

Act of 1988, amends Public Law 94-168,

the Metric Conversion Act of 1975. In

particular, section 3 of the latter act is amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 3. It is therefore the declared policy

of the United States

"(1) to designate the metric system of measurement as the preferred system of weights and measures for United States trade and commerce:

"(2) to require that each Federal agency, by

a date certain and to the extent economically

feasible by the end of the fiscal year 1992, use

the metric system of measurement in its procurements, grants, and other businessrelated activities, except to the extent that such use is impractical or is likely to cause

significant inefficiencies or loss of markets to United States firms, such as when foreign

competitors are producing competing

products in non-metric units;

"(3) to seek ways to increase

understanding of the metric system of measurement through educational

information and guidance and in Government

publications; and

"(4) to permit the continued use of

traditional systems of weights and measures

in nonbusiness activities."

Section 403 of Public Law 93-380, the

Education Amendments of 1974, states

that it is the policy of the United States

to encourage educational agencies and

institutions to prepare students to use

the metric system of measurement as

part of the regular education program.

Under both this act and the Metric

Conversion Act of 1975, the "metric

system of measurement" is defined as

the International System of Units as

established in 1960 by the General

Conference on Weights and Measures

and interpreted or modified for the

United States by the Secretary of

Commerce (sec. 4(4), Pub. L. 94-168; sec. 403(a)(3), Pub. L. 93-380). The Secretary

has delegated his authority under these

subsections to the Director of the

National Institute of Standards and

Technology.

In implementation of this authority,

tables and associated materials were

published in the Federal Register of

February 26, 1982 (47 FR 8399-8400),

setting forth the interpretation and

modification of the International System

of Units (hereinafter "SI") for the United

States. Although the contents of the tables

have not been changed in any

significant way since 1982, in view of

the amendment of the Metric

Conversion Act of 1975 by the Omnibus

Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988,

and because over eight years have

elapsed since the above Federal Register

notice was pubHshed, it is deemed

appropriate to once again issue tables

and associated text setting forth the

interpretation of the SI for the United

States. The SI is constructed from seven base

units for independent quantities plus

two supplementary derived

dimensionless units for the

dimensionless derived quantities plane

angle and solid angle, as listed in Tables

la and lb.

Table 1a.—SI Base Units

Quantity

SI unit Name Symbol

length meter m

mass' kilogram kg

time second s

electric current ampere A

thermodynamic temperature kelvin K

amount of substance mole mol

luminous intensity candela cd

' "Weight" in common parlance is often used to mean "mass."

Table 1b.—SI Supplementary Units

Quantity

SI unit

Name Symbol

Expression

in terms of

SI base

units

plane angle radian m>m"'=1

solid angle steradian sr
Federal Register / Vol. 55, No. 245 / Thursday, December 20, 1990 / Notices 52243

Units for all other quantities are derived from these nine units. For example, in Table 2 are listed a number of SI derived

units obtained from the base units in a coherent manner, which means, in brief, that they are expressed as products and

quotients of the seven base units without numerical factors.

Table 2.—Examples of SI Derived Units Expressed in Terms of Base Units

Quantity

SI unit

Name Symbol

area volume

speed, velocity acceleration wave number

density, mass density

specific volume

current density

magnetic field strength concentration (of amount of substance) luminance

square meter

cubic meter

meter per second

meter per second squared

reciprocal meter

kilogram per cubic meter... cubic meter per kilogram... ampere per square meter.. ampere per meter mole per cubic meter

candela per square meter

.

m^

m'

m/s

m/s^

m-' kg/m'

mVkg

A/m^

A/m

mol/m^

cd/m^

Certain derived units that have been given special names and symbols are listed in Table 3. They may themselves be

used to express other derived units, as is shown in Table 4. All the derived units given in Tables 3 and 4 have been obtained

from the base and supplementary units in the same coherent manner indicated above.

Table 3.—SI Derived Units With Special Names

Quantity

SI unit

Name Symbol

Expression

in terms of other units

frequency

force pressure, stress energy, work, quantity of heat power, radiant flux electric charge, quantity of electricity electric potential, potential difference, electromotive force capacitance

electric resistance

electric conductance

magnetic flux magnetic flux density inductance

Celsius temperature ' luminous flux illuminance

activity (of a radionuclide) absorbed dose, specific energy imparted, kerma, absorbed dose

index dose equivalent, dose equivalent index

hertz newton

pascal

joule watt coulomb

volt farad ohm

Siemens

weber

tesia henry

degree Celsius lumen

lux becquerel

gray

slevert

HzN

Pa

JW

C

V

F

SIsWb

TH

-c

Im

IxBq

Gy

Sv

S-' m-kg/s^

N/m2

N-m

J/s s-A W/A

C/V

V/A

A/V

V-s Wb/m^

Wb/A

K

cd-sr Im/m^

S-' J/kg

J/kg

' In addition to the thermodynamic temperature (symbol 7") expressed in Kelvins (see Table la), use is also made of Celsius temperature (symbol t) defined by

the equation

/= T- To where 7"o = 273.15 K by definition. To express Celsius temperature, the unit "degree Celsius" which is equal to the unit "kelvin" is used; in this case, "degree

Celsius" is a special name used in place of "kelvin." An interval or difference of Celsius temperature can, however, be expressed in kelvins as well as in degrees

Celsius.
52244 Federal Register / Vol. 55, No. 245 / Thursday, December 20, 1990 / Notices

Table 4.—Examples of SI Derived Units Expressed by Means of Special Names

Quantity

dynamic viscosity moment of force surface tension

fieat flux density, irradiance heat capacity, entropy

specific heat capacity, specific entropy

specific energy

thermal conductivity energy density

electric field strength

electric charge density

electric flux density

permittivity

permeability molar energy

molar entropy, molar heat capacity exposure (x and y rays) absorbed dose rate

SI unit Name

pascal second

newton meter newton per meter

watt per square meter

joule per Kelvin joule per kilogram kelvin.... joule per kilogram

watt per meter kelvin joule per cubic meter

volt per meter coulomb per cubic meter... coulomb per square meter

farad per meter

henry per meter

joule per mole

joule per mole kelvin coulomb per kilogram gray per second

Symbol

Pa-s N-m

N/m

W/m^

J/K

J/(kg-K)

J/kg

W/(m-K)

J/m'

V/m

C/m'

C/m'

F/m

H/m

J/mol

J/(mol-K)

C/kg

Gy/s

The supplementary units of Table lb may be used in the expression of derived units as for the lumen in Table 3. Some

additional examples are given in Table 5.

Table 5.—Examples of SI Derived Units Formed by Using Supplementary Units

Quantity

SI unit

Name Symbol

angular velocity angular acceleration.

radiant intensity radiance

radian per second

radian per second squared

watt per steradian watt per square meter steradian .

rad/s

rad/s2 W/sr

W/(m2-sr)

Table 6 gives the 16 prefixes used to form multiples and submultiples of the SI units. It is important to note that the

kilogram is the only SI unit with a prefix as part of its name and symbol. Because double prefixes may not be used, in the case of mass the prefixes of Table 6 are to be used with gram (symbol g) and not with kilogram (symbol kg).

Table 6.—SI Prefixes

Factor Prefix Symbol

10'8 E

10'5 P

10'2 T

10^ giga G

10« M

10= k 102 h

10' da

10-' d

10-2 0

10-3 m

10-« 10-« n 10-'2 P

10-'^ f 10-'« a
Federal Register / Vol. 55, No. 245 / Thursday, December 20, 1990 / Notices 52245

Certain units are not part of the SI, but

are important and widely used. The

units in this category that are accepted

for use in the United States with the

International System are listed in Table

7. rrr

Table 7.—Units in Use With the International System

Symbol Value in SI unit

minute (time) min 1 min = 60 s

1 h = 60 min = 3 600 s

1 d = 24 h = 86 400 s r = (7r/180) rad

1' = (1/60)° = (7r/10 800) rad

1" (1/60)' = (77/648 000) rad

1 L=1 dm» = 10-^m3

1 t=103 kg

1 ha = 1 hm2 = l0'' m^

1 eV= 1.602 18x10" "J, approximately

1 u = 1.660 54 X 10"" kg, approximately

hour h day d degree (angle) minute (angle) second (angle)

•liter L "metric ton t hectare (land area) ha

***electronvoll eV

"••unified atomic mass unit u

* Both L and I are internationally accepted symbols for liter. Because "I" can easily be confused with the numeral "1," the symbol "L" is recommended for United

States use.

*• In many countries, this unit is called "tonne."

*** The values of these units expressed in terms of SI units must be obtained by experiment, and are therefore not known exactly. The electronvolt is the kinetic energy acquired by an electron passing through a potential difference of 1 volt in vacuum. The unified atomic mass unit is equal to (Viz) of the mass of the atom of the nuclide '^C.

In those fields where their usage is already well established, the use of the

units in Table 8 for a limited time is accepted, subject to future review.

Table 8.—Units in Use Temporarily

With the International System

nautical mile barn roentgen, knot bar rad ^ Sngslrom gal " rem *

are' curie

' Unit of land area.

^ Unit of acceleration.

' Unit of absorbed dose.

» Unit of dose equivalent.

As stated in the 1982 notice, metric

units, symbols, and terms that are not in accordance with the foregoing

interpretation are no longer accepted for continued use in the United States with

the International System of Units.

Accordingly, the following units and

terms listed in the table of metric units

in section 2 of the Act of July 28, 1866

that legahzed the metric system of

weights and measures in the United

States are no longer accepted for use in the United States: myriameter

stere milher or tonneau

quintal

myriagram

kilo (for kilogram).

Although there is no formal comment

period, public comments are welcome

on a continuing basis. Comments should

be submitted to Dr. Barry N. Taylor at the above address.

John W. Lyons,

Director. [FR Doc. 90-21913 Filed 12-19-90; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-13-M

Editor's Note : At the suggestion of its Consultative Committee for Units, the International Committee for Weights and

Measures adopted four new SI prefixes at its September 1990 meeting. These new prefixes were approved by the 19th

General Conference on Weights and Measures in September-October 1991. Thus the new prefixes, which are given

below, have become officially part of the SI and hence of Table 6.

Factor Prefix Symbol

10^ yotta Y

10^1 zetta Z

10-2' zepto z

10-24 yocto y

Wednesday

January 2, 1991

Editors Note : In a Federal Register notice of August 20,

1991 (56 FR 41281-41283), 15 CFR Part 19 was redesignated 15 CFR 1170. The authority citation for Part 1170

is revised to read as follows:

Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1512 and 3710, 15 U.S.C. 205a

et seq., and DOO 10-17 and DOO 10-18.

The Table of Contents for Part 1170 reads as follows:

Sec.

1170.1 Purpose.

1170.2 Definition.

1170.3 General Policy.

1170.4 Guidelines.

1170.5 Recommendations for Agency Organizations.

1170.6 Reporting Requirement.

1170.7 through 1170.99 reserved.

Part IV

Department of

Commerce

Office of the Secretary

15 CFR Part 19

Metric Conversion Policy for Federal

Agencies; Rule
160 Federal Register / Vol. 56, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 1991 / Rules and Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Office of the Secretary

15CFR Part 19

[Docket No. 90913-0259]

RIN 0692-AA07

Metric Conversion Policy for Federal

Agencies

agency: Office of the Secretary, Under

Secretary for Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce.

action: Final rule.

summary: 15 CFR part 19 subpart B sets out Federal Government policy on the

voluntary use of the metric system of

measurement by agencies, industry and

the public. In conformance with the

Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness

Act of 1988 [Pub. L. 100--118, section

5164), we are revising that subpart to remove the voluntary aspect of metric

transition for Federal agencies. The

amended subpart B provides policy

direction to assist Federal agencies in. their transition to use of the metric

system of measurement.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 1, 1991.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

A. S. Whelihan, Office of Metric

Programs, Room 4845, U.S. Department

of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230;

Phone (202] 377-0944.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The Omnibus Trade and

Competitiveness Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-418, section 5164) declares the

metric system to be the "preferred

measurement system for U.S. trade and

commerce." Federal agencies are also

now required to use the metric system in procurement, grants and other businessrelated activities, by a date certain and

to the extent economically feasible by

the end of fiscal year 1992, except to the extent that such use is impractical or is likely to cause significant inefficiencies

or loss of markets to United States firms,

such as when foreign competitors are producing competing products in nonmetric units. These declarations and the

accompanying report of the

Congressional conferees require this updating of the existing Federal policy

document. The policy set out below was

issued as a proposed rule: "Metric

Conversion Policy for Federal

Agencies," 54 FR 41848, October 12,

1989, which updated the policy stated in a prior notice: "Metric Conversion

Policy for Federal Agencies," 50 FR

27577, July 5, 1985. The updated policy

has been taken directly from the 1985

notice. However, this rule amends the

earlier policy to bring the references and

text up-to-date. The policy clarifies and

strengthens Federal program

requirements. Implementing agency

initiatives are expected.

The current text reflects comments

received from the public (1 comment) as well as from the Federal Metrication

Operating Committee (MOC.) The text of the policy has been approved by the

Federal Interagency Council on Metric

Policy (ICMP.) Recommended changes

from the representatives of the ICMP/

MOC included updating the Federal

Register notice defining the "metric

system," clarifying the term "other

business-related activities," and adding

agency reporting requirements. These

changes were made and are incorporated in the rule. The only private sector response was

from the American Petroleum Institute

(API.) The API commented on: (1) Section 19.23(a), encouraging DoC to continue to coordinate federal agency

metrication activities. That section was

modified in the final, although it never mentioned DoC. However 19.22(a) refers

to the Department's coordination role;

(2) section 19.23(b), asking for a

clarification of "areas where metrication

is dependent on agency initiatives." That language was clarified and became

§ 19.23(c); and (3) section 19.23(d)

pointing out that the American National

Metric Council and the U.S. Metric

Association are good sources for agencies seeking information on private

sector metrication efforts. Section

19.24(d) recommends that agencies

"maintain haison with private sector groups (such as the American National

Metric Council and the U.S. Metric

Association) that are involved in planning for or coordinating National

transition to the metric system."

Rulemaking Requirement

Under Executive Order 12291 the

Department must judge whether a

regulation is major within the meaning

of section 1 of the Order and, therefore,

subject to the requirement that a Regulatory Impact Analysis be

prepared. This policy statement is not a major rule because it is not likely to result in (1) an annual effect on the

economy of $100,000,000 or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries.

Federal, state or local government

agencies, or geographic regions; or (3) significant adverse effects on

competition, employment, investment,

productivity, innovation, or in the ability

of United States-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises

in domestic or export markets.

Therefore, a Regulatory Impact Analysis

will not be prepared.

This policy statement contains no

pohcies with Federalism implications

sufficient to warrant preparation of a Federalism assessment under Executive

Order 12612.

This action is exempt from the

analysis requirements of the Regulatory

Flexibility Act because notice and

opportunity for comment are not required for this policy statement by

section 553 of the Administrative

Procedure Act or any other law.

Therefore, no initial or final regulatory

flexibility analysis was prepared.

This policy statement does not contain a collection of information for purposes of the Paperwork Reduction

Act.

List of Subjects in 15 CFR Part 19

Science and technology. Metric

system.

For the reasons set out in the

preamble part 19 of title 15 of the Code

of Federal Regulations is amended as

follows:

1. The authority citation for 15 CFR

part 19 is revised to read as follows:

Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1512 and 3710, 15 U.S.C. 205a et seq. and DOO 10-17.

2. Subpart B is revised to read as

follows:

Subpart B—Metric Conversion Policy for Federal Agencies

Sec. 19.20 Purpose.

19.21 Definition. 19.22 General Policy. 19.23 Guidelines.

19.24 Recommendations for Agency

Organizations.

19.25 Reporting Requirement.

19.26 thru 19.199 reserved.

Subpart B—Metric Conversion Policy

for Federal Agencies

§ 19.20 Purpose.

To provide policy direction for Federal agencies in their transition to use of the metric system of

measurement.

§ 19.21 Definition. Metric system means the

International System of Units (SI)

established by the General Conference

of Weights and Measures in 1960, as

interpreted or modified from time to time for the United States by the

Secretary of Commerce under the

authority of the Metric Conversion Act

of 1975 and the Metric Education Act of

1978.
Federal Register / Vol. 56, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 1991 / Rules and Regulations 161

Other business-related activities means measurement sensitive

commerical or business directed

transactions or programs, i.e., standard

or specification development,

publications, or agency statements of

general applicability and future effect designed to implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy or describing the

procedure or practice requirements of an

agency. "Measurement sensitive" means

the choice of measurement unit is a

critical component of the activity, i.e., an agency rule/regulation to collect

samples or measure something at specific distances or to specific depths,

specifications requiring intake or discharge of a product to certain

volumes or flow rates, guidelines for clearances between objects for safety,

security or environmental purposes, etc.

§ 19.22 General Policy.

The Omnibus Trade and

Competitiveness Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-418, section 5164) amended the

Metric Conversion Act of 1975 to, among

other things, require that each Federal

agency, by a date certain and to the extent economically feasible by the end

of the fiscal year 1992, use the metric

system of measurement in its procurements, grants, and other

business-related activities, except to the

extent that such use is impractical or is likely to cause significant inefficiencies or loss of markets to United States firms,

such as when foreign competitors are producting competing products in nonmetric units.

(a) The Secretary of Commerce will

appoint a Commerce Department Under

Secretary to assist in coordinating the

efforts of Federal agencies in meeting

their obligations under the Metric

Conversion Act, as amended.

(b) Federal agencies shall coordinate

and plan for the use of the metric system

in their procurements, grants and other

business-related activities consistent

with the requirements of the Metric

Conversion Act, as amended. Federal

agencies shall encourage and support an

environment which will facilitate the

transition process. When taking

initiatives, they shall give due

consideration to known effects of their

actions on State and local governments

and the private sector, paying particular

attention to effects on small business.

(c) Each Federal agency shall be

responsible for developing plans,

establishing necessary organizational

structure, and allocating appropriate

resources to carry out this policy.

§ 19.23 Guidelines.

Each agency shall;

(a) Establish plans and dates for use

of the metric system in procurements,

grants and other business-related

activities;

(b) Coordinate metric transition plans

with other Federal agencies. State and

local governments and the private

sector;

(c) Require maximum practical use of

metric in areas where Federal

procurement and activity represents a predominant influence on industry

standards (e.g.: weapon systems or space exploration]. Strongly encourage

metrication in industry standards where

Federal procurement and activity is not

the predominant influence, consistent

with the legal status of the metric

system as the preferred system of

weights and measures for United States

trade and commerce;

(d) Assist in resolving metric-related

problems brought to the attention of the

agency that are associated with agency

actions, activities or programs

undertaken in compliance with these

guidehnes or other laws or regulations;

(ej Identify measurement-sensitive

agency policies and procedures and

ensure that regulations, standards,

specifications, procurement policies and

appropriate legislative proposals are updated to remove barriers to transition

to the metric system;

(f) Consider cost effects of metric use

in setting agency policies, programs and

actions and determine criteria for the

assessment of their economic feasibility.

Such criteria should appropriately weigh

both agency costs and national

economic benefits related to changing to the use of metric;

(g) Provide for full public involvement

and timely information about significant

metrication policies, programs and

actions;

(h) Seek out ways to increase

understanding of the metric system of

measurement through educational

information and guidance and in agency

publications;

(i) Consider, particularly, the effects of

agency metric policies and practices on

small business; and

(j] Consistent with the Federal

Acquisition Regulation System (48 CFR],

accept, without prejudice, products and

services dimensioned in metric when

they are offered at competitive prices

and meet the needs of the Government,,

and ensure that acquisition planning

considers metric requirements.

§ 19.24 Recommendations for Agency

Organization.

Each agency shall:

(a) Participate, as appropriate, in the

Interagency Council on Metric Policy

(ICMP], and/or its working committee,

the Metrication Operating Committee

(MOC), in coordinating and providing

policy guidance for the U.S. Government's transtion to use of the

metric system.

(bj Designate a senior policy official to be responsible for agency metric

policy and to represent the agency on

the ICMP.

(c) Designate an appropriate official to represent the agency on the Metrication

Operating Committee (MOC), an

interagency committee reporting to the

ICMP.

(d) Maintain liaison with private sector groups (such as the American

National Metric Council and the U.S

Metric Association) that are involved in planning for or coordinating National

transition to the metric system.

(e) Provide for internal guidelines,

training and documentation to assure employee awareness and understanding

of agency metric policies and programs.

§ 19.25 Reporting Requirement.

Each Federal agency shall, as part of

its annual budget submission each fiscal year, report to the Congress on the

metric implementation actions it has

taken during the previous fiscal year. The report will include the agency's

implementation plans, with a current timetable for the agency's transition to the metric system, as well as actions

planned for the budget year involved to implement fully the metric system, in accordance with this policy. Reporting

shall cease for an agency in the fiscal year after it has fully implemented

metric usage, as prescribed by the

Metric Conversion Act (15 U.S.C.

205b(2).)

§§ 1 9.26 thru 1 9. 1 99 [ Reserved ] Dated: December 19, 1990. Robert M. White,

Undersecretary for Technology.

[PR Doc. 90-30566 Filed 12-31-90: 8:45 am)

BILLING CODE 3510-18-M

Federal Register / Vol. 56. No. 145 / Monday, July 29, 1991 / Presidential Documents 35301

Presidential Documents

Executive Order 12770 of July 25, 1991

Metric Usage in Federal Government Programs

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of

the United States of America, including the Metric Conversion Act of 1975,

Public Law 94-168 (15 U.S.C. 205a et seg.) ("the Metric Conversion Act"), as amended by section 5164 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of

1988, Public Law 100-418 ("the Trade and Competitiveness Act"), and in order

to implement the congressional designation of the metric system of measure- ment as the preferred system of weights and measures for United States trade

and commerce, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Coordination by the Department of Commerce, (a) The Secretary of

Commerce ("Secretary") is designated to direct and coordinate efforts by

Federal departments and agencies to implement Government metric usage in

accordance with section 3 of the Metric Conversion Act (15 U.S.C. 205b), as amended by section 5164(b) of the Trade and Competitiveness Act.

(b) ti furtherance of his duties under this order, the Secretary is authorized:

(1) to charter an Interagency Coimcil on Metric Policy ("ICMP"), which will

assist the Secretary in coordinating Federal Govenmient-wide implementation

of this order. Conflicts and questions regarding implementation of this order

shall be resolved by the ICMP. The Secretary may establish such subcommittees and subchairs within this Council as may be necessary to carry out the

purposes of this order.

(2) to form such advisory committees representing other interests, including

State and local governments and the business community, as may be neces- sary to achieve the maximum beneficial effects of this order; and

(3) to issue guidelines, to promulgate rules and regulations, and to take such

actions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this order. Regulations promulgated by the Secretary shall function as policy guidelines for

other agencies and departments.

(c) The Secretary shall report to the President annually regarding the progress

made in implementing this order. The report shall include:

(1) an assessment of progress made by individual Federal agencies towards

implementing the purposes underlying this order;

(2) an assessment of the effect that this order has had on achieving the

national goal of estabUshing the metric system as the preferred system of

weights and measures for United States trade and commerce; and

(3) on October 1, 1992, any recommendations which the Secretary may have

for additional measures, including proposed legislation, needed to achieve the

full economic benefits of metric usage.

Sec. 2. Department and Agency Responsibilities. All executive branch departments and agencies of the United States Government are directed to take all appropriate measures within their authority to carry out the provisions of this

order. Consistent with this mission, the head of each executive department

and agency shall:

(a) use, to the extent economically feasible by September 30, 1992, or by

such other date or dates established by the department or agency in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, the metric system of measurement in

Federal Government procurements, grants, and other business-related activi-
35802 Federal Register / Vol. 56, No. 145 / Monday, July 29, 1991 / Presidential Documents

ties. Other business-related activities include all use of measurement units in

agency programs and functions related to trade, industry, and commerce.

(1) Metric usage shall not be required to the extent that such use is impractical

or is likely to cause significant inefficiencies or loss of markets to United

States firms.

(2) Heads of departments and agencies shall establish an effective process for a policy-level and program-level review of proposed exceptions to metric

usage. Appropriate information about exceptions granted shall be included in

the agency annual report along with recommendations for actions to enable

future metric usage.

(b) seek out ways to increase understanding of the metric system of

measurement through educational information and guidance and in Government publications. The transition to use of metric units in Government publications should be made as publications are revised on normal schedules or new publications are developed, or as metric publications are required in

support of metric usage pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) seek the appropriate aid, assistance, and cooperation of other affected

parties, including other Federal, State, and local agencies and the private

sector, in implementing this order. Appropriate use shall be made of governmental, trade, professional, and private sector metric coordinating groups to secure the maximum benefits of this order through proper communication

among affected sectors.

(d) formulate metric transition plans for the department or agency which

shall incorporate the requirements of the Metric Conversion Act and this

order, and which shall be approved by the department or agency head and be

in effect by November 30, 1991. Copies of approved plans shall be forwarded

to the Secretary of Commerce. Such metric transition plans shall specify,

among other things;

(1) the total scope of the metric transition task for that department or agency,

including firm dates for all metric accomplishment milestones for the current

and subsequent fiscal year;

(2) plans of the department or agency for specific initiatives to enhance

cooperation with industry, especially small business, as it voluntarily converts

to the metric system, and with all affected parties in undertaking the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section; and

(3) specific steps and associated schedules through which the department or agency will seek to increase understanding of the metric system through

educational information and guidance, and in department or agency publications.

(e) designate a senior-level official as the Metric Executive for the department or agency to assist the head of each executive department or agency in

implementing this order. The responsibilities of the Metric Executive shall

include, but not be limited to;

(1) acting as the department's or agency's policy-level representative to the

ICMP and as a liaison with other government agencies and private sector

groups;'

(2) management oversight of department or agency outreach and response to inquiries and questions from affected parties during the transition to metric

system usage; and

(3) management oversight of preparation of the department's or agency's

metric transition plans and progress reports, including the Annual Metric

Report required by 15 U.S.C. 205j and OMB Circular A-11.

(4) preparation by June 30, 1992, of an assessment of agency progress and

problems, together with recommendations for steps to assure successful implementation of the Metric Conversion Act. The assessment and recommendations shall be approved by the head of the department or agency and provided
I

Federal Register / Vol. 56, No. 145 / Monday, July 29, 1991 / Presidential Documents 35803

to the Secretary by June 30, 1992, for inclusion in the Secretary's October 1,

1992, report on implementation of this order.

Sec. 3. Application of Resources. The head of each executive department and

agency shall be responsible for implementing and applying the necessary

resources to accomplish the goals set forth in the Metric Conversion Act and

this order.

Sec. 4. Judicial Review. This order is intended only to improve the internal

management of the executive branch and is not intended to create any right or

benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by a party against the

United States, its agencies, its officers, or any other person.

THE WHITE HOUSE.

July 25. 1991.

[FR Doc. 91-18028

Filed 7-25-91; 3^)6 pm]

Billing code 3ig5-01-M

NIST-114A

(REV. 3-90)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA SHEET

1 . PUBUCATION OR REPORT NUMBER

NIST/SP-814

2. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER

3. PUBUCATION DATE

October 1991

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

Interpretation of the SI for the United States and

Metric Conversion Policy for Federal Agencies

5. AUTHOR(S)

Barry N. Taylor, Editor

6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION (IF JOINT OR OTHER THAN NIST, SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

GAITHERSBURG, MD 20899

7. CONTRACT/GRANT NUMBER

8. JiyPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED

). SPONSORING OJtOANIZATION NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS (STREET. CITY, STATE. ZIP)

Fundamental Constants Data Center

Physics Laboratory

Physics Building, Room B160

Gaithersburg, MD 20899

10. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

11. ABSTRACT (A 200-WORD OR LESS FACTUAL SUMMARY OF MOST SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION. IF DOCUMENT INCLUDES A SIGNIFICANT BIBUOQRAPHY OR

UTERATURE SURVEY. MENTION IT HERE.)

This National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication replaces National Bureau of Standards

(NBS) Letter Circular LCI 132 published April 19, 1982. It reprints the Department of Conmierce, NIST, Federal

Register notice of December 20, 1990 titled "Metric System of Measurement; Interpretation of the International

System of Units for the United States" (the International System of Units, abbreviated SI, is the modernized metric

system); the Department of Conmierce, Office of the Secretary. Federal Register notice of January 2, 1991 titled

"Metric Conversion Policy for Federal Agencies"; and Executive Order 12770 issued by the President of the United

States on July 25, 1991 titled "Metric Usage in Federal Government Programs." The first Federal Register notice

restates the Department of Commerce's interpretation of the International System of Units for the Untied States that

was last published by the Department in 1982; the second revises the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to remove

the voluntary aspect of the conversion to the metric system of measurement for Federal agencies; and the Executive

Order provides Presidential authority and direction for the use of the metric system of measurement by Federal

departments and agencies in their programs. Also included is a diagram that shows graphically how the 19 SI

derived units with special names are derived in a coherent manner from the SI base and supplementary units.

12. KEY WORDS (6 TO 12 ENTRIES; ALPHABETICAL ORDER; CAPITAUZE ONLY PROPER NAMES; AND SEPARATE KEY WORDS BY SEMICOLONS)

Federal agencies; International System of Units; metric conversion policy; metric system; Omnibus Trade and

Competiveness Act; SI; units

13. AVAILABIUTY

UNUMITED

FOR OFFICIAL DISTRIBUTION. DO NOT RELEASE TO NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE (NTIS).

X

X

ORDER FROM SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS, U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.

WASHINGTON. DC 20402. ORDER FROM NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE (NTIS), SPRINGFIELD, VA 22161.

14. NUMBER OF PRINTED PAGES

17

15. PRICE

ELECTRONIC FORM * U.S. G.P .0 . : 1991 -31 1 -891 :4031

2



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